Gossip: Rochester Fine Arts Museum and Gay Bride

The Rochester Fine Arts Museum has left the building — and will be entering a half dozen others.

"We like to keep busy," quips Matt Wyatt, museum "president, dictator and chief." "We're non-conventional. We have to evolve and innovate as we go and we're trying to stay ahead of this."

The museum was first housed at Merchant Plaza. It was later determined downtown locations were a better fit than a single space; "and there were options for spreading out," he says. "We're in three galleries downtown with exhibits and have our own gallery. We're in the (Rochester) Library...; the Rochester Opera House and in City Hall soon." City Hall is currently preparing walls and adding hanging devices for the work.

The RFAM home base is 1 North Main St. It also exhibits at the Somersworth and Farmington libraries. It actively adds to and exhibits its permanent collection in city-owned facilities and facilitates exhibits of artist-owned "borrowed works," at alternative spaces including artstream, Jenny Wrenn Gallery, and the Portable Pantry. "It's all about accessibility."

"We're not in the business of selling artwork. We truly want it to be about the artists," he says. "But (the borrowed works) may be for sale." The museum facilitates and curates the RFAM sanctioned shows, then leaves sales to the hosting venue.

The museum is currently preparing for a borrowed artist exhibit, up Feb. 2. Then it turns its attention to the Biannual Exhibition, schedule for April to August.

"We're already getting submissions and hope to get more in by March," Wyatt says. "The show will be held in all the galleries; it's a big group show." The show is open to all, "so it will be a nice mix." Find information on the biannual and expanding locations at www.rochestermfa.org/.

The meaninglessness of earthly life

The delightful thing about this broader art community is the ideas that flow, many coming to fruition — hence our title as art-rich.

"Vanitas," the brainchild of Shane Chick is such a work-in-progress.

"It's a show based on the Flemish idea of Vanitas, when in the height of their power the artists decided to get a little dark, think about what happens after you've got everything ...; you can't have it buried with you."

Vanitas, a theme-based art largely explored the transience of life and the meaninglessness of its pursuits and accumulations. Decay, skulls, skeletons, clocks and other symbolic images addressing these themes often mark the paintings.

"I came across a show on Vimeo ... and it clicked with my imagination. I love skulls, that whole skulls and skeletons and death as an object. It keeps us all honest," says South Berwick, Maine, the printmaker. —¦ I want to curate a sort of tongue-in-cheek show about decay and temporary existence in a venue that has seen its best days go by. Sort of a low art meets classical art idea.

Chick put out a call to artists on Facebook to determine interest. The response "was fabulous." Next he started exploring locations. "I wanted something rundown, an industrial site to follow through with the idea of what happens after you get everything you want and what's the other side of that hill — the decay."

Chick in talks with Port City Makerspace — talks — he underscores. But if it comes through — "it's perfect." One section is renovated, while another is still in disrepair. "Their idea is to remodel the space. ...; But while it's unfinished it's perfect, " he says. It's Chick's place of choice, but he's keeping his eyes open just in case.

"My vision is to have walls made of palettes and shop-lights for lighting. Really kind of make the whole show less clean and prepackaged like you'd see in a regular gallery." The show would be PART of the show.

Twenty artists responded to the first call. Two people offered minor sponsorship to help with printing and posters. "I hope to get more of that over the next couple of months," says Chick.

If things stay on track the exhibit could be up by this summer. Artists are still encouraged to inquire.

"The idea is for artists to interpret Vanitas. I'm not spelling it out for anyone. I want people to go digging around for themselves." One artist already plans a giant pile of birds from cast metal. "And the more the merrier," he adds. If interested check out Vanitas on Facebook (Vanitas — the meaningless and futility of conspicuous consumption) or email chickfamilyink.gmail.com.

We all dream of Jeannie

This year's Portsmouth Community Radio Dance fundraiser may hit a pretty sweet milestone — with your help and that of the Jeannie Daniels Band.

The Jeannie Daniels Band has played the event for the past six years, raising about $1,500 per dance. If things go as expected, they'll pass the $10,000 mark at the annual fete on Jan. 26.

"Jeannie Daniels Band ...; (is) probably responsible for raising more money for WSCA via a fundraising event than any one else in the history of WSCA, (excluding our usual on-air pledge drives)," says Tim Stone, station producer. "We rent the VFW but they provide the talent and they love doing it."

"Why do we do it?" says Daniels. "Because we love the fact we have a community station and love the fact we have such a variety of shows." Help the band and station hit the milestone; join "the magic and funk" she adds. "It's always a great, great time." (Information at www.wscafm.org and on Page 10).

alas, No pats in the Super bowl

Back Alley Productions' "Vagina Monologues'" show on Sunday, Feb. 3, at 7 p.m. at Seacoast Rep has been rescheduled to 2 p.m. "We don't want the football fans to miss out on the Super Bowl in case the Pats make it," says Joi Smith, Back Alley's co owner/founder and "VM's" director.

BroadwayWorld.com reported "Gay Bride of Frankenstein," the rock musical by regional talents Billy Butler and Dane Leeman, will have two industry readings, Feb. 4 and Feb. 5 at the 45th Street Theatre "in preparation for the future Off-Broadway run." Some fine Broadway talent is cast. For the full skinny visit: http://tinyurl.com/billydane.